My Friday in LA

Early Friday morning I joined the fuzzballs on the patio in the cool stillness of the LA dawn. It was quiet, something I've grown to need every day. My hostess has quite the collection of green things on her postage stamp patio, but there is a calmness in those things. The hummingbirds were chattering, waiting impatiently to be fed. And the cats were enjoying the fresh air, wondering if the birds would dare come close enough to swipe at. The apartments came alive around me. The garbage trucks were in the alley. A neighbor upstairs was obviously getting her kids ready for school, an Asian language floating down. Another neighbor was practicing singing scales, she still needs practice. A Slavic couple was banging dishes around eating breakfast, but by about 8:00 all was quiet again.

After my hosts had left for the day, I readied myself and headed into Beverly Hills to find the all important coffee and pastry. Success at the Coffee Bean. I had a lovely Carmel Iced Coffee and Chocolate filled Croissant. It is a different vibe in downtown Beverly Hills. The men are in their business suits, women are dressed to the nines, fancy cars, cell phones and connections being made on the street. I'm such a hick sometimes. I walked up and down Beverly Hills Drive, peeking in windows and checking out the people. I still haven't been to Rodeo Drive, even though I've been near there three times. Maybe next time.

After the breakfast, I headed in a westerly direction, hoping for inspiration to strike. I ended up at the Santa Monica Beach with a couple of thousand of my nearest and dearest friends. This is what the beach looks like at 1:00 on a Friday afternoon. Can you believe all those people are not working? OMG! When I found a perfect parking spot - really I did - I tried to put my money in for a two hour stint. But no, I was to be denied, and only allowed to stay for an hour.


Actually that was pretty good. And my view was not as bad as it seems. I had lucked out and parked near the Santa Monica Pier, which is the home of an amusement park on the water. There was a "NO SWIMMING" zone due to the dangers of potentially getting thrashed against the piles. Fortunately, everyone else thought "NO SWIMMING" meant "NO SITTING" and I had about 20 yards of beach front property all to myself.

NOTES of the moment: Waves crashing, harsh sky light, overcast. Long walk from the car to water, sand feels good on my feet. Screaming kids, happy kids in the water chasing the surf. The clickity clack of the roller coaster as it climbs the first hill. The tin music of the Ferris wheel and a helicopter scoping out the show on the beach. Humid and warm, but the breeze off the water is nice. Tourists with their cameras, like me. A couple of Amish (Quaker?) women, in black, covered from head to toe. Families holding hands, parents to kids. 'Tweens walking the beach looking to be seen. The scene is a study in greys, bordered by the bright primaries of the amusement park.

As my hour drew to a close, it was a good thing. The sun, though shrouded by the clouds, was intense and I managed to get just the smallest bit of sun color to my skin. I walked back to the car, feeling the warm sand between my feet, feeling the warmth of the sun on the back of my neck.

I got in the car and headed back in the direction of the apartment. I was hungry and hot though, so when I saw the Westside Pavilion Mall, I paused for a moment and went for a walk in the air conditioning. I had a bite to eat at the Food Court and managed to snag a pretty sweet backpack from Gap Kids. The hubster thinks it is the ugliest thing he's ever seen, but that just means he's not going to steal that one from me later on. My devious plan has worked!

The rest of the day was spent reading, planning, and having some good food with friends.

More sooner than later! Hope you are having a good weekend.